After a hearty Scottish breakfast - eggs, bacon, pork sausage, tomato, mushrooms, haggis and toast (we decided against the porridge, baked beans, black pudding, cereals and grapefruit) we headed for Uig to catch the ferry to Talbert on Harris.
Although usually referred to, as if they are, Lewis and Harris are not separate islands. Instead they are the northern two-thirds (Lewis) and southern third (Harris) of the same island. Some say the distinction between the two dates back to a split in the MacLeod clan which dominated the Western Isles for centuries. Others simply point to the range of high mountains that impeded land access between Lewis and Harris turning them into virtually separate islands. Whatever the reason the island does not have a common name in either English or Scottish Gaelic and is referred to as 'Lewis and Harris', 'Lewis with Harris', 'Harris with Lewis' etc.
Uig our departure point from Skye and yes, yet another sunny day.
Leaving the ferry after a 90 minute crossing, we headed south to explore the incredibly rocky, hilly and marsh covered area with some spectacular white sandy beaches hidden away. There were numerous little villages and houses scattered amongst the boulder strewn hills – these Hebrides folk obviously like their privacy as there was ample space between houses to ensure it.
Most of the roadway was of the one lane variety with passing lanes at regular intervals (sometimes only 50 metres apart on the very steep and winding spots) so driving was almost fun. Everyone takes their turn in pulling over and exchanging cheery waves as the traffic passes by.
Tarbert - largest town on Harris
One of the lovely sandy beaches - no surfers evident
Lots of little pools of water surrounded by large boulders covered in part by heather
Rocky? what do you think?
Houses were to be found in isolation in quite hard to get to spots
Golfing here must be interesting on a windy day!
We stopped at an old church, St Clement, which was built in the 16th Century by Alexander McLeod. In 1528, Alasdair Crotach MacLeod, 8th Chief, prepared for himself a magnificent wall tomb on the south side of the choir - possibly the finest medieval wall tomb in Scotland, being crowned by an arch and ornated by carvings of biblical design. The 9th Chief, Alasadair or Alexander's son William, had his grave prepared in the south wall of the nave in 1539. In the south transept, there is a third grave probably belonging to John MacLeod of Minginish, the 10th Chief. There are five more grave slabs leaning against the wall of the north transept. The graveyard surrounding the church contains a number of MacLeod tombs. All very morbid but fascinating to see.
Although usually referred to, as if they are, Lewis and Harris are not separate islands. Instead they are the northern two-thirds (Lewis) and southern third (Harris) of the same island. Some say the distinction between the two dates back to a split in the MacLeod clan which dominated the Western Isles for centuries. Others simply point to the range of high mountains that impeded land access between Lewis and Harris turning them into virtually separate islands.
Whatever the reason the island does not have a common name in either English or Scottish Gaelic and is referred to as 'Lewis and Harris', 'Lewis with Harris', 'Harris with Lewis' etc.
Most of the roadway was of the one lane variety with passing lanes at regular intervals (sometimes only 50 metres apart on the very steep and winding spots) so driving was almost fun. Everyone takes their turn in pulling over and exchanging cheery waves as the traffic passes by.
All very morbid but fascinating to see.